Abstract: Apparatus for heating and venting a container. The apparatus has a heating station for the container. A heater is disposed to supply heat to the heating station. A drive has a body and a reciprocable member. The body is mounted in predetermined relation to the receiving station. The reciprocable member is movable relative to the receiving station between a first position and a second position. A cannula is joined to the reciprocable member. The cannula has a hollow bore. The cannula is movable between a retracted position and an extended position by movement of the reciprocable member between the first position and the second position. A vent line communicates with the bore and the ambient environment.

Abstract: A pressure lock assembly for use between first and second independently pressurized areas and a pressure vessel incorporating such a lock assembly. The pressure lock assembly is automatically actuated when the first area has a substantially higher pressure than the second area and is automatically deactuated when the areas have substantially uniform pressures. The pressure lock assembly has first and second body members. The first body member has an inner surface bounding the first area, an outer surface bounding the second area, and a through-opening extending between the surfaces. The body members are displaceable between an open position in which the body members are at least partially disengaged and a closed position in which the body members are closely engaged. A flexure member is disposed adjacent the inner end of the through-opening.